The Kabbalah Centre Sales Pitch

Posted by D. Goodmanson on Apr 17, 2005 in Church | 0 comments

Last week I attended a ‘free seminar’ put on by the San Diego Kabbalah Centre. I was pretty disappointed with my experience. The whole session was vague about what exactly Kabbalah believes but also they were selling classes that cost several hundred dollars to learn the mysteries of Kabbalah. After the class was over I asked the instructor a few questions, when he heard I was a journalist, he freaked out. He would not answer any questions and was very defensive. You’d think if you had confidence in your ‘product’ you’d be open to discuss it. Anyway, more to come from my Reader article on this.

Mewithoutyou (Album Review)

Posted by D. Goodmanson on Apr 16, 2005 in Culture | 0 comments

Fear not Christian emo/ screamo/ hardcore fans! All is not lost to the self centered, pseudo-nihilist, hopeless, sup pop philosophies of your favorite sub culture bands. Meet Mewithoutyou, a quirky blend of spoken word and emo/screamo. continued…

Full Article: Mewithoutyou
Author: Jason Bowe
Kaleo Institute of Cultural Studies

The Gospel and Music

Posted by D. Goodmanson on Apr 16, 2005 in Culture | 3 comments

Our culture is saturated with music. Whether we are at home, the office, church, a caf?© or restaurant the one constant factor is that music is lingering somewhere in the background. In fact, as I write this I am streaming my favorite radio station from Seattle , which is 1300 miles away from my desk. 1 We spend more money on music ‚Äì CDs, DVDs, IPODs, concerts, etc. ‚Äì than any generation before us.

Many in our culture find their social identities within musical genres such as Goth, Hip-hop, or Country and Western; their lifestyles reflecting the attitude, clothing, and general interests of their particular musical subculture. Whether you consider your musical taste to be refined or an eclectic hodge-podge you cannot deny the power of music. Music has been used to soothe and bring comfort; to stir the hearts and minds of worshipping communities; to teach young and old; to express the emotions of the heart; to stir the passions in the bedroom; to stimulate the courage of men on the battlefield; and lastly, as a destructive influence to promote ungodliness (to name just a few). continued…

Full Article: The Gospel and Music
Author: Brian Thomas
Kaleo Institute of Cultural Studies

Aural Pleasures: Putting the Indie in Independent Music

Posted by D. Goodmanson on Apr 15, 2005 in Culture | 1 comment

I am a supercilious audiophile. I admit it. When it comes to music, I am an out and out snob. I find comfort in the characters from the movie High Fidelity. While you are careening through the crowds at Target to purchase the latest offering from an ex-American Idol loser, I am busy downloading rare b-sides from the band East River Pipe. What? Never heard of East River Pipe? How bout’ Say Hi to Your Mom? No! Ambulance LTD? NO!!! This is my problem with you. This is my problem with society. I realize you do not care, and that I sound like a pretentious geek ‚Äì which I am. But at least I am a geek with a good music pedigree.

For years I have lamented the state of music in our fine country. We live in an age where the song ‚ÄúMacarena‚Äù spent 14 weeks at number one; where boy bands keep returning like a bad case of herpes; where nonsensical mind-numbing lyrics like ‚Äú makes me want to La La ‚Äù can be heard 100 times a day pouring forth from the Satan controlled medium known as modern radio. I don’t even know what ‚Äú makes me want to La La ‚Äù means, but I do know that it ‚Äú makes me want to up-chuck ‚Äù. Do you hear me Ashley Simpson? Turn off the backing track and stop hurting my ears.

Full Article: Aural Pleasures: Putting the Indie in Independent Music
Author: Brian Thomas
Kaleo Institute of Cultural Studies

San Diego Church

Posted by D. Goodmanson on Apr 13, 2005 in Church Technology, Sheep&Goats | 3 comments

“If you have A.D.D., this is the church for you,” read San Diego Church’s advertisement. “People have commented that they do have A.D.D. and love that we do service under an hour,” said Pastor Chad Furlong. “We strive to create a relaxed environment. We all sit at round tables, dress in casual clothes, and offer food in the middle of service. Often, in the middle of service, we take a five- to eight-minute break to eat, grab coffee, and talk.”

Full article on San Diego Church >